Monday, March 14, 2011

Who Do You Think You Are


I sometimes wonder how many of us go through life saying to ourselves that we aren't good enough.   How many of us talk ourselves out of things because we're convinced that we can't really do this or that...I mean shoot, who do we think we are anyway, right?!

And I wonder if other animals sometimes have these same thought processes, or if it's strictly a human trait.  Do race horses who don't win think they aren't good enough or deserving enough to win?  Did they have a trainer or someone along the way that said, "hey, who do you think you are anyway, you can't win the triple crown so why bother trying!" 




Did Secretariat have someone who said, "you can do whatever you want, win whatever you want," so that's what made him a winner?  He was foaled not far from where I live actually, as the crow flies anyway.

I was fortunate to grow up in a household where my parents did believe that we could accomplish anything we put our minds to and worked hard to achieve, but no one can live under the protective umbrella of a parent's love forever.  And some people  never knew that kind of love to begin with, so they are at an even greater disadvantage.




I pass by these gorgeous horses every time I come and go from my house.  They are some of the most well cared for and beautiful horses I've seen during my lifetime.  And that's saying something since I grew up with horses, my daughter rode for many years, and I've even visited the Kentucky Horse Park, so I've seen a lot of horses in my day.

When you look into their eyes, it's as if they say to you, you can do it, whatever it is you want, I will believe in you.  The same way our pets do that for us, and maybe that's why we love them so much.




I've passed by this horse farm countless times over the past 4 years, and I've never stopped though I've always wanted to.  I've said to myself on more than one occasion, "who do you think you are stopping and asking to take pictures of their horses?" 

But I finally did, and the owners couldn't have been any nicer.  On top of that, it turns out that we know some people in common, both in and out of the horse community.  They told me that they raise and train horses that then go all over the country and sometimes the world.  And the husband, who is originally from Ireland, told me how he used to help fly horses around the world, something Mr. Tide's grandmother used to do for a living up in Canada.




I ran into a very talented artist friend recently, and we chatted about how she was now selling her work at The Vintage Source on the weekends when they are open.  And I told her how great her artwork is and how happy I was that she was now selling it there.  Her husband said that she wasn't sure anyone would want to buy it, even though she's been a very successful mural artist for years.

I told him that I say the same thing to my husband whenever I think about selling some of my fine art photography.  I tell myself, "who would pay you for that, and why would anyone want to buy your work, there are lots of other wonderful and highly skilled photographers out there...so who do you think you are trying to sell your stuff?!"




This week I'm going to change all of that.  I will begin working on a website to sell my photographs.  And instead of selling them for very little money in hopes that maybe one day I'll die and someone will find value in them...as if I were Ansel Adams or something...hah...I will price them accordingly, and similarly to other photos I see advertised as fine art photography.

Now please don't misunderstand, I've not taken some magic ego pill or created some imaginary inflated opinion of myself.  I'm simply going to quit saying "who do you think you are?," and replace it with "why the heck not!"

It's time to stop listening to anyone around me (thankfully not my immediate family) who wants me to stay where I am because it keeps them feeling more comfortable about their own choices.  Some friends, and sometimes even family mean well, but they can sometimes, without even saying a word, bolster that whole who do you think you are notion.  You see, people rarely give you advice which is good for you, they simply tell you what they would do given your situation...and they bring along all of their concerns, fears, and insecurities right along with them.



So I'm turning off the external filters and turning on my own opinion that will now reign supreme.  Not in an arrogant or superior fashion, but in a "hey kid you only have one life to live, so you better go for it now while you still can."  If watching the tragedies unfold around the world these past few weeks and months hasn't proven that life is short, than I don't know what else will.

So who do you think you are?!  I hope from this day forward you are everything you think you can be and more!  The more you share your talents and gifts with this world, the better it will be, and the need for regret will disappear!  That is my dream friends...and that is who I hope I am!

Spread the Love...


Sweet Cottage Dreams


Casa Dule Hogar


Blondie's Journal

31 comments:

  1. Dream big for yourself - or else how can anyone else believe in you?.....that was what I learned at home and it's so true. Good luck with your website - I just know it will be gorgeous.

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  2. I love this post so much, Kat...your courage always inspires me to go for it! Good luck with your new venture~ I can't wait to see all you do! XO

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  3. Kat, I say, "Why the heck not" too--I can see success written all over this venture. You take such lovely photos that people can't help but love (and buy) them. Though I am thinking that your real talent lies in writing a daily or weekly motivational or inspirational column for some magazine or newspaper. Your posts are always so uplifting and positive. I wish you the very best. Mickie :)

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  4. Kat~go for it! And I am not being biased bc of the name! (LOL!) you have extreme talent!!!
    Hugs~
    Cat

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  5. How exciting. I think we all need to remind ourselves it's okay to give things a go, and that the success lies in having a go, not in whether the results were what we expected. I love the photo's you put on your blog, and can't see any reason why you wouldn't go ahead and sell you work. I love what you said about people advising us. I always say to my husband, we tend to judge others on the way we view ourselves. Similar thought. Thanks for such a positive post.

    Hugs,
    Lisa x

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  6. I think you are a really good photographer that deserves to sell you pictures, Kat - have a little show and see who wants to buy them. For me, it has always been an impossible balance between thinking that I have no effect on the world at all, and thinking that I am the centre of it - that's where 'It's A Wonderful Life' comes in handy every Christmas, to put a perspective on it for everyone. Racehorses? Somehow I think that a creature that gets spooked by it's own farts may have a problem with the concept of winning and losing.

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  7. oh lots of success Kat i am happy for you

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  8. Good for you! Your photography is so gorgeous, that it deserves you pricing it accordingly. Your pictures speak & breathe in a way that is so very powerful, and sometimes so very quiet, too. I'm sure you will see much success in this new endeavor.

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  9. It is a slippery slope, right?
    When you were raised as I was to be humble,
    and when your personality leans more to being an introvert ,
    and you are a good listener in a world of talkers,
    then moving out there is hard.

    However,
    I heard once- and I am paraphrasing-
    it is not our darkness we are afraid of-
    it is our light.

    You go Miss Kat!
    And I will too.

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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  10. When working at a "real" job, we're expected to toot our own horn on a resume listing all our excellent job skills and experience. Yet...when it comes to talking about our God-given talents, we are expected to be modest and say "Oh it's just something I dabble in". God believes in us or else He wouldn't have given the talent in the first place. Aren't we denying Him His glory by not using it to the full extent?
    If we don't value us and our talent...the world never will. Go for it and price it as the unique art it is and for the talent behind the camera.
    Deb

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  11. Kat,
    As a horse lover, I think these photos are so beautiful! As for following your dreams and desires...GO FOR IT!!! Most of end up regretting what we didn't do!
    xo,
    ~R

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  12. You actually gave me a little pep talk in here too Kat! I'm so glad you are FINALLY gonna go ahead and do this Kat. I am certainly a big fan of your photography, and apparently so are the publishers of certain major magazines! Love this Kat! xo ~Lili

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  13. How is it that you always write exactly what is in my head at the moment? I'm struggling with this, too. Thank you for spelling it out for me.
    Connie

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  14. Kat, your photography is wonderful! And has a voice of it's own! Good for you!

    Confidence is a wonderful thing. It allows us to value ourself AND be happy for others too! Without confidence people tend to get protective and jealous.

    There is lots in this post to think about.
    Thanks,
    Yvonne

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  15. This is a wonderful post Kat and I am so proud that you are stepping into this next chapter. Your photos are stunning and deserve a chance to be seen, you deserve a chance to be seen. I know that that question has popped in my mind quite often and only rarely do I answer it, but when I do, and whether I succeed or fail, I am able to answer that question with more confidence each time it comes back. :)

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  16. Most people enjoy having photos taken of their animals. I took a lovely shot of our neighbor's dog this week-end as they were passing by our house. They were elated when I presented them with a nice 8x10 of their sweetie pie and said that he was very camera shy and they could never get a good shot of him. It's the little things in life that please people. Your horse photos turned out so nice!

    Di

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  17. Kat, I say go for it. Your photography is wonderful. I need to get the link to my aunt's photography site. She puts all her proceeds to the American Cancer Society because both my grandparents, her parents, died from cancer. She takes photos all over the world and has been in several publications. Some of my favorites is the march of the penguins that she shot and African wildlife.

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  18. Hurrah for you! If you don't believe in you, who will? (And, do they board horses at that barn? We're not unhappy where we are, but if it's closer/cheaper/better, we'd be interested in finding out more.)

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  19. You know I'm behind
    you 100%, Kat!!! And
    looking forward to the
    day I can tell others,
    "I knew her when..."
    Big hugs and don't let
    the naysayers get you
    down. Hmmm, didn't
    YOU give ME that advice
    not too long ago?!
    xx Suzanne

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  20. Yes, all you have to do is believe in the power of YOU... and why ever not?

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  21. All the best Kat. I am sure that you will be very successful!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  22. Thanks for this, feels like you were speaking directly to my heart. I am also under the process of trying to convince myself I'm worth it and stop listening to all those outside voices. Best wishes for a wonderful fine art photography business, I know I will be there cheering you on and following your journey...you are already so successful, now go live into that!

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  23. You go, girl! Those horses; you can tell they're very wise. Good for you all the way!
    Brenda

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  24. I loved your Post. I get what your saying.. I too am a Believer in living in a "Who do you think you are world ". Living your life that way takes a sense of self, in a good way. We all have to contribute our Best and be concious of what we have to share and that it's valuable!!
    Thanks for the Beautiful Photos... the Horses teach us to look into more than their Beauty.
    Best,
    Gail
    Casual Loves Elegance

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  25. Go Kat! Woot, woot woot!!
    xo Cathy

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  26. Oh Kat good for you girl!! Why the heck not!! I love your photography and I bet you sell them like gangbusters!! I love the horse photos. I grew up with horses and I've ridden since I was 6 yrs. old! The world is a better place because of horses I feel. They are such beautiful creatures and I'm glad you caught them on your camera. Good luck-I'm a huge fan as you know!! HUGS!

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  27. We really need to believe in ourselves. Good luck!!

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  28. Laura Comeau-StanleyMarch 16, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Miss Kat,

    You're so insightful girlie and I'm tickled to have discovered even more of your amazing talents on Low Tide High Style (thanks to the gals at the Vintage Source). I look forward to seeing your showcase of photography and hopefully seeing YOU soon...on the water, on the Island or just on the move!

    XO,
    Laura

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  29. I neglected to mention just how inspiring this was!You ROCK Kat! :-)

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  30. That's the spirit Kat! There is a saying that a friend of mine uses a lot. "If nothing ever changes, nothing ever changes." Good for you for following your dreams.

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